§ Mr. ROWNTREEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is able to state the amount of sugar consumed in the British Isles during the year 1915; and if he is able to give an approximate estimate of the consumption under the following headings, namely, confectioners chocolate makers, etc.,. mineral water manufacturers, biscuit makers, etc., general domestic consumption, and brewers?
Captain BATHURSTPrecise figures on the points raised in the question cannot be given. It is estimated, however, that the total consumption of sugar, exclusive of brewers' sugar, during 1915, was about 1,750,000 tons. The amount of sugar used in the manufacture of beer during the twelve months ended September 30, 1915, was about 134,000 tons. According to an estimate of the Manufacturing Confectioners' Alliance, the total quantity of 213W sugar used before the War for all purposes of manufacture, except beer, was 400,000 tons per annum, but how this was divided amongst the various trades concerned it is impossible to say.